Chapter 202
Ellie's POV
Dominic stared at my outfit.
So did everyone else.
I kept my smile perfectly in place as I walked toward him, pretending I had no idea that I looked completely out of place.
As if wearing the most mismatched, inappropriate, poorly fitted outfit I could find was something I did every day.
Just another normal Tuesday.
The moment I reached him, Dominic grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the crowd.
"Ellie," he whispered, his voice low. "You need to tell me what's going on with you."
I blinked up at him innocently.
"What do you mean?"
His eyebrows lifted.
"What do you mean, what do I mean?"
He gestured toward my clothes.
"Ellie, this isn't like you. This is a formal event. A gala.
He looked me over again.
"Besides, I thought you liked dressing up."
I immediately pushed my lower lip out into a pout.
"What? I thought..." I glanced down at myself. "I thought I looked good."
I made sure my voice carried just enough for the people nearby to hear.
If Dominic wanted to call me out, then he could look like the unreasonable husband who didn't appreciate his wife's choices.
His mouth opened.
Then closed.
He clearly wanted to argue.
But he stopped himself.
Instead, he sighed.
"You know what?"
He shook his head slightly.
"Fine."
A pause.
"You look beautiful."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Just..."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Stay by my side tonight, okay?"
His expression softened.
"And maybe don't act as if you hate me for a few hours?"
I tilted my head.
"Can I keep my sneakers on if I do?"
He stared at me.
Then sighed.
"Sure. Whatever."
Before I could say anything else, he took my hand and placed it against his arm, pulling me closer.
The warmth of him seeped through his suit jacket.
For one brief second, my heart reacted.
A tiny, unwanted spike of emotion.
I ignored it.
I followed him inside.
The gala was exactly what I expected.
Elegant.
Expensive.
Overwhelming.
Guests in perfectly tailored suits and breathtaking gowns moved through the room, laughing softly and exchanging polite conversation. Waiters carried trays of champagne and appetizers through the crowd.
A woman wearing a glittering red dress sat at a grand piano, her voice smooth and low as she sang jazz melodies that filled the room.
It was beautiful.
And I hated that I couldn't deny it.
I would never admit it out loud, but I was beginning to regret my little stunt.
Not only because people were staring.
They absolutely were.
Especially the women.
Their eyes moved over me with confusion, judgment, and curiosity.
But more than that...
I felt ridiculous.
For a moment, I wondered if Dominic had been right earlier.
Had I taken things too far?
The looks we were receiving were impossible to ignore.
People looked at us like they couldn't decide if I was genuinely clueless or if this was some elaborate statement.
And honestly?
I wasn't sure which answer was worse.
The strangest part was Dominic.
Despite everything...
Despite my behavior.
Even though I had clearly dressed like I was trying to embarrass him...
He was still acting like the perfect gentleman.
"You really do look beautiful," he said as he grabbed two champagne glasses from a passing waiter and handed one to me.
I looked at him skeptically.
"You're lying."
He shook his head.
"I'm not."
I took a sip, letting the bubbles dance against my tongue.
"It's honestly not even that bad of an outfit."
I rolled my eyes.
"You're just saying that to make me feel better."
A small smirk appeared on his face.
"Is it working?"
I tried not to smile.
I really did.
But a tiny curve tugged at the corner of my lips before I could stop it.
Dominic noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
His smile widened slightly as he gently placed my hand back on his arm.
Annoyed by his reaction, I dug my nails lightly into his arm.
Just enough to bother him.
But he didn't even flinch.
That was the worst part.
No matter how hard I tried to push him away, he refused to fight back.
He just kept being...
Kind.
He told me I looked beautiful.
He kept a hand around my waist as we moved through the room, his thumb brushing against my hip and making me bite the inside of my cheek to hide my reaction.
He leaned closer to whisper comments in my ear.
He introduced me to every person we spoke with.
He treated me like I was still the woman he wanted beside him.
Even when I laughed too loudly.
Even when I made awkward comments.
Even when I purposely knocked my drink onto another Alpha's shoes.
Dominic was annoyed.
I could see it.
But he never became cruel.
Never insulted me.
Never raised his voice.
And that somehow hurt more than if he had.
Because for a little while...
Just a little while...
Everything felt normal.
Like we weren't trapped in a contract.
Like there wasn't a painful past between us.
Like I wasn't carrying memories of a life I wished had never happened.
Like Dominic and I were simply...
Us.